In a major Naxal attack today, at least 12 CRPF personnel were killed while 28 others injured when the ultras triggered a landmine blast in Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra. Blast took place around 1130 hours IST, conformed the CRPF officials.

Naxalites triggered a powerful Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast in Pustola, 38 kms from Gadchiroli in eastern Vidarbha region of Maharashtra. The blast blew up a mini-bus of CRPF ferrying the jawans in Pustola, near Yedampayali, between Karwafa and Phulbodi Gatta, considered as one of the most sensitive Maoist locations in the district.

Earlier reports that reached the CRPF headquarters indicated the number of dead at 15 and they feared that toll may increase as the exact number of security personnel travelling in the bus was not immediately known.

Later in the day they conformed that a total of 40 troops were travelling in a bus from Pushtola to Gatta, about 4 kms from Gadchiroli. This was a regular trip for Jawans as they were on an operational duty.

A CRPF reinforcement team were rushed to the attack site for the rescue operations along with the men from the Maharashtra's anti- Naxal force. Authorities are looking into the reasons that led to the unfortunate incident.

All political parties strongly condemned the killing of 12 CRPF personnel in a Naxal attack in Maharashtra. Congress asked for a national resolve and support of entire political spectrum to fight the menace.